The breakfast was not elaborate, but it tasted good. The woman also gave him a small dish of pickled kelp with sour and spicy flavors, which made it even more appetizing.
After a satisfying breakfast, Wan Lei smiled and bid farewell to the woman, preparing to leave. Suddenly, a little boy ran from the center of town, waving a piece of paper and shouting excitedly,
"Mom, I got first place! I was first in yesterday's exam!"
The woman's face beamed with joy, and she pinched her son's cheek with her flour-dusted hand,
"Yes, my son is so capable, so smart."
"Then can you keep your promise to take me out to sea to play?"
"No problem, I'll have your father take you out to sea tomorrow. Hurry up and eat."
"Oh! Off to the sea!"
What a happy family.
Wan Lei smiled and continued walking forward.
Not far ahead, in front of a house, a couple was holding hands, their faces filled with happy smiles, listening to the middle-aged woman in front of them chattering.
The middle-aged woman had a kind face and kept giving instructions to the two in front of her.
"You'll be getting married in a few days. Xiao Long, you must remember what I've told you.
My daughter, although spoiled since childhood, we haven't raised her with any bad habits. She is gentle in nature.
If there are any conflicts, try to resolve them yourselves. Don't let her run back to her parents' home over trivial matters, lest the neighbors laugh.
I didn't ask for any betrothal gifts, only hoping you'll treat my daughter well.
And you, Xiao Mei, after getting married, be good to your man, understand his hardships. It's not easy for men to earn a living outside. Don't come home and be upset by your wife. A man's heart is also made of flesh. When he returns home, he should feel happiness, not more trouble..."
"Don't worry, Mom, we know. We're very happy."
Wan Lei curled his lips and smiled, continuing to walk forward.
As he neared the center of town, a slightly overweight young man rushed out from a doorway. The young man was beaming with excitement and shouted into the street,
"My new book, 'Ferryman of Heavenly Tribulation,' is number one on the bestseller list! Number one! Hahahaha, the editor just called to say it's being adapted for film and television, I'm going to make millions a month, hahahaha..."
Upon hearing this, the surrounding people immediately came forward to congratulate him.
"Wow, Xiao Wan, you're amazing! You're a great writer now."
"You've finally made it through. It wasn't easy, but hard work pays off."
"With such big news, shouldn't you update five thousand words daily to celebrate? I can't sleep at night without reading 'Ferryman of Heavenly Tribulation'!"
"Five thousand words daily? Are you crazy? You'll kill him, hahahaha..."
"I'm not crazy, hahahaha, I'm going to update ten thousand words daily, hahahaha, I'm not crazy, writing is so much fun..."
The胖子 (pàngzi - fatso) named Xiao Wan rushed back into his house, seemingly ready to work hard towards updating ten thousand words daily.
Wan Lei's mood continued to improve, as he was now sharing in the joy. He ambled along the bluestone street, and before he knew it, he had reached the center of town.
It was a wide crossroads, and in the very center stood a statue.
The statue was of a monkey, wearing a purple-gold crown adorned with seven stars, stepping on cloud-walking boots, clad in golden chain mail, and holding a Ruyi Jingu Bang.
The statue stood majestically, lifelike. Wan Lei knew it was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven.
At the foot of the statue, there was a bronze cauldron, with wisps of smoke rising from the burning incense within.
In front of the bronze cauldron, many people were sincerely bowing and worshiping.
After watching for a moment, Wan Lei suddenly saw a middle-aged cultivator in a green shirt fly over from a two-story building nearby.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist."
Wan Lei cupped his hands in greeting first. This person was at the Foundation Establishment stage, likely the town mayor mentioned by the woodcutter.
"Greetings, fellow Daoist."
The town mayor smiled and landed beside Wan Lei,
"Fellow Daoist, are you here on Li Xi Island for any particular reason?"
"I have no particular business, I am merely traveling through and saw that it was quite lively here, so I wanted to take a look. I hope I am not disturbing you, fellow Daoist."
Although the other party was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Wan Lei showed no disrespect. After all, the people in this small town were all good.
"Oh, it's nothing, nothing. This place is remote, and outsiders rarely come here. Having a cultivator arrive all of a sudden is a bit of a surprise."
The town mayor smiled and gestured towards the street in the distance,
"Fellow Daoist, as you've walked through, what do you think of our town?"
"Well... it's prosperous, peaceful, truly a paradise on earth."
"Hahahaha, of course! Actually, I wasn't originally from this small town. I was being chased by someone and fled here. They received me warmly and even helped me heal.
I was also touched by the simple folk customs here and decided to stay and help them.
In the past, sea monsters occasionally came to cause havoc. Since I arrived, I've repelled them several times, and they dare not come again."
Wan Lei was silent. Big brother, you're just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Hearing your achievements, I thought you were an immortal.
"Although this place is not very suitable for cultivation, I am willing to stay here, whether it's to repay their kindness or to guard the peace and happiness here. In short, I've stayed here all along.
I imagine you, fellow Daoist, also have a similar impulse."
"Yes, who wouldn't want to experience and protect the beauty of this place?"
Wan Lei nodded. Indeed, he had just had a thought: after rescuing Fang Xiao Yu, they would come to this small town to live in seclusion and lead a happy life.
After all, the environment and the people here were good.
Just as they were talking, a monkey suddenly appeared at the end of the street in the distance.
The monkey was pulling a cart laden with all sorts of supplies, struggling a bit with the load.
The monkey had a small voice, but its shout was not.
"Protection fees! Hurry up and pay your protection fees."
Hearing this, Wan Lei's expression darkened. Before he could ask, the town mayor beside him explained with a smile,
"It's not what you think. Just watch quietly."
Wan Lei nodded and continued watching.
The villagers around, instead of being afraid when they saw the monkey, enthusiastically stepped forward and began to move the supplies from the cart.
"Old Liu's family, here's the grinding stone you asked for last time."
"Wang Wei, I've found the books you wanted too."
"Xing Pang Zi, you scoundrel, slow down. This bag of cured meat is yours. Also, take Granny Sun's rice."
"Breakfast stall, come and get your flour."
"Thank you..."
"Thank you, thank you..."
The monkey distributed the supplies non-stop, and everyone who received something expressed their sincere gratitude.
"This protection fee... is just thanks?"
Wan Lei was a bit bewildered. He suddenly noticed that the monkey had six ears.